A few weeks ago, prompted by a discussion with a dealer who believed that holding multiple robotic mowing solutions was less than ideal, we spoke about how many franchises was too many (or too few) to stock in the showroom?

An interesting comment we received in response read, "From my experience working for several service dealers as a sales & parts manager, I would say multi-brands make more sense for fuel powered tools, machinery & equipment because the average Joe understands how they work.

"For robotics, however, it's a different case entirely because the technology, software, installation and programming is completely new to most end users and can be too overbearing, overcomplicated and confusing - especially to the elderly end users who are a large percentage of the robotic tool marketplace."

An interesting take, and perhaps reasoning that has occurred to other dealers when decisions have had to be made regarding what to feature in the dealership?

With this in mind, we're interested today to hear about what factors do influence our dealer readers when it comes to either adding or dropping a franchise in the business? We're running a short survey on the subject, which it would be fantastic to have your help with.

As the machinery landscape continues to evolve, with shifting market demands, tightening margins, and a constant influx of innovation (not to mention the occasional product shortage or policy change from manufacturers), your choices about which franchises to represent are more important than ever. I assume alongside choosing to employ someone, it must be one of the trickiest decisions that a dealer must make.

Over the years, dealers have given us a variety of reasons for adding a new marque to the showroom floor. Sometimes it’s driven by gaps in the current product range. Other times, it may be about price positioning - adding a second or third brand at a more entry-level or premium point to meet customer demand. Also, of course, this notion of keeping up with the latest technical innovations. Perhaps a new player to the market offers something that your current suppliers do not?

There are also the human factors: maybe a new area manager builds a stronger relationship, or a brand’s service policies feel better aligned with how you like to do business? Perhaps you’ve spotted a local opportunity that’s just crying out for something different to your existing offering.

Alongside these reasons for adding brands, with limited space in the showroom there will be those moments when a potentially difficult decision has to be made to drop one (or more).

Maybe a franchise isn’t performing well commercially, or maybe warranty costs are rising? It might be that the manufacturer has changed its dealer terms or coverage area, or perhaps the relationship just isn’t what it used to be. Or simply the make is just no longer appropriate for you - it is, of course, your name above the door.

When we asked you, our valued dealer readers, last year for some reasons as to why you might choose to drop a franchise, some answers we received included:

• "If a brand I support through a supplier ends up in a local DIY / garden centre / online then I will probably drop the product as it takes away the fact it was unique to a dealer."
• "If the supplier is too demanding and has difficult levels of discount to achieve, I may drop."
• "Margin and after sales service are key."

With technology, customer demands and manufacturers' routes to market ever shifting, we're interested today to hear as many of your voices as possible, regarding why you may choose to take on or drop a brand in 2025.

As ever the survey is anonymous and we shall publish the findings alongside as many of your comments as we can in the upcoming edition of Service Dealer magazine.

Thank you advance for your help.

TAKE THE SURVEY

The Board of Directors of Husqvarna AB has appointed Glen Instone as the new CEO of Husqvarna Group.

Glen Instone currently holds the position as president of the Husqvarna Forest and Garden Division and will assume his new role as of August 11, 2025. He is succeeding Pavel Hajman, who will leave the Group by the end of the year.

Torbjörn Lööf, Chairman of Husqvarna AB, said, "The Board and I are very pleased to announce Glen Instone as the new CEO of Husqvarna Group. His deep knowledge of our business and strong leadership skills will be of great value to further strengthen and grow the Group going forward. We are entering the next strategy phase where Glen is playing a central role in shaping our updated strategy, which will be presented during a Capital Markets Day in December."
 
“On behalf of the Board, I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Pavel for his outstanding dedication and many years of great leadership within Husqvarna Group. Over the past decade, he has held several key positions, including the role as the Group CEO since December 2022, where he has played a vital role in shaping and positioning Husqvarna Group for the future”, added Torbjörn Lööf.
 
Glen Instone said, “I am proud of our company’s achievements and am excited to continue to lead and develop the great team within the Husqvarna Group in a pivotal time in our history. For over 335 years, we have continuously reinvented ourselves, driving industry transformation with our customers always at the heart of what we do."
 
Glen Instone, 48, was born in England, is a chartered management accountant (ACMA), and holds a B.A. (Hons) in Accounting & Finance. Glen joined the company in 2002 and has been a part of Group Management since 2018. Apart from his current position as president of the Husqvarna Forest and Garden Division, he was earlier Group CFO and has held various positions within the Forest and Garden Division, including vice president global sales & services and CFO.

Chandlers Farm Equipment Ltd have announced the expansion of its Grasshopper Mower dealer network across the UK - with Readman Mowers, of Wilberfoss, York their latest appointment. 

Michael Readman of Readman Mowers exhibiting the Grasshopper machines at the recent Great Yorkshire Show

Chandlers say this strategic growth initiative brings Grasshopper’s zero-turn mowers to even more customers nationwide. They say their expanded network “ensures that commercial landscapers, grounds maintenance teams, and estate managers across the UK have better access than ever to the full Grasshopper line-up, including front-mounted and mid-mounted zero-turn mowers.”

Justin Thompson, groundscare specialist at Chandlers, added, “We’ve seen a steady increase in demand from professionals who want reliable equipment that stands the test of time. Grasshopper’s commitment to quality, combined with our expanding reach, means we can now support more customers across the UK with expert advice, fast delivery, and local service.”

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he tells us about this weekend's "scorching" and "sun baked" marathon!

Hi everyone,

I'm writing this after what feels like one of the toughest periods of the year, both professionally and personally, and honestly, I'm seriously starting to question what the hell I'm trying to do! If life wasn't hard enough, being perpetually short on time with no second to spare, and navigating one of the most demanding seasons our industry has ever known - all I needed was another marathon, right? At this point, I'm pretty sure my rain dance skills are non-existent, because when will it finally cool down and actually, you know, rain?!

Because, of course, this weekend brings the BigHeat Trails (FIRE) Marathon. The description for this one sounds like the polar opposite of the sloppy mud bath I waded through back in February. The description is as follows: "we have designed a scorching single lap trail run that will take you along winding dusty tracks, through sun baked forests and over open sandy plains. You'll enjoy running on The Serpent Trail and through stunning locations, such as Blackdown and The Temple of the Winds before following the River Rother back to the finish line and event village."

"Scorching," "sun baked," "sandy plains" - These are not words that fill a marathon runner with joy, especially one who's already battling time constraints and fatigue. It's truly a test of how much I'm willing to push myself, both physically and mentally, in pursuit of this crazy challenge. I'm half expecting to see mirages of ice cream trucks out there!

I'm also incredibly grateful to announce that EGO Power Plus has kindly stepped up to sponsor me for this latest run! Their support is a fantastic boost and genuinely appreciated as I prepare to tackle these "scorching" trails.

This constant push, this relentless demand on my time and energy, is a heavy burden. But then I circle back to the 'why'. The good causes - Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice and St. Michael's Hospice – are the unwavering motivation that pulls me through every ache, every doubt, and every "what the fuck am I doing?" moment.

I constantly remind myself that my pain is temporary, a self-inflicted ordeal with a clear end in sight. This stands in stark contrast to the daily struggles faced by so many who are battling serious illnesses or profound mental health challenges. They don't get to choose their suffering, nor do they often see a clear finish line. My ability to break down each marathon into achievable segments – one foot in front of the other, just get to that next tree, that next bend – is a lesson I find myself sharing, particularly when advising others who are facing overwhelming situations. It's all about taking one step at a time, just getting through this moment, this hour, this day.

So, as I brace myself for the fiery trails of the BigHeat Marathon, I'll be channeling that determination. Wish me luck - I think I'm going to need it, and probably a very large, very cold beverage at the end!

Your Support Fuels Every Painful Step:

Every single run is a physical and mental battle but knowing that your generosity is making a real difference to these four incredible charities is what truly keeps me going. We're fighting against cancer, supporting children with life-limiting conditions and providing comfort in the hardest of times.

Don't just read about the pain – make it count! If you've been following along, sharing a laugh at my expense or simply appreciating the effort, now's the time to show your support. Every donation, no matter the size, pushes us closer to our £10,000 target.

• Please click here and sponsor me today: Let's turn my suffering into tangible help for those who truly need it.
• Cheer me on: Your messages and encouragement are a massive boost, especially when I'm feeling the strain.
• Get inspired: Perhaps my journey can motivate you to take on your own challenges or to simply prioritize your health and well-being

Stay tuned for the (hopefully successful and not too sun-baked) update after the BigHeat Marathon!

The organisers of SALTEX, the GMA, have released a statement reaffirming that every penny generated by the show is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry.

In an official statement, released in the wake of GroundsFest and BTME announcing a collaboration, the GMA said, "For nearly nine decades, SALTEX has existed with a singular purpose: to elevate and advance the profession of grounds management. As a not-for-profit, mission-led event, SALTEX reinvests every pound it generates back into the industry - supporting everyone from grassroots volunteers maintaining local pitches to elite professionals delivering world-class playing surfaces around the globe."

The statement continued, "Revenue from SALTEX 2024 has enabled the GMA to subsidise approximately 63% of its membership base, delivering essential support to both professional and volunteer grounds staff. Community and the brand-new free student memberships have benefited most, strengthening the GMA’s promise to nurture new talent and ensuring the highest standards of grounds care are applied across the country."

The statement went on to stress how the show supports the funding of their training work and how the GMA’s work to champion the sector wouldn’t be possible without SALTEX - citing the #GroundsWeek initiative as an example.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial, membership and events at the GMA, added, "Every exhibitor and every visitor helps us reinvest in the people who make sport possible, from the volunteers who keep local pitches playable to the professionals preparing world-class surfaces and green spaces."

Following last week's report from the AEA that UK agricultural tractor registrations in the first half of 2025 dropped to their lowest level since 1998 and were 17% down on the same period last year, the Association has now released analysis on how trends varied across the power range and in different parts of the country.

The AEA says there have been fewer tractors registered so far this year across virtually the whole of the power range. However, the fastest declines have been for the biggest machines.

Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth said, "Registrations of tractors over 240hp were down by 38%, compared with January to June 2024. This segment of the market was the only one to see growth during 2024, so it is perhaps unsurprising that it was the focus of declines this year. Below that level, the drop was a smaller, though still substantial, 14%. As a result, the average power of agricultural tractors recorded during the period was 173.8hp, down from 180.7hp in the first half of last year."

The AEA also reports that there were year-on-year declines across all parts of the UK in the first half of 2025.

Stephen explained, "The falls were smallest in Southern England, where only a handful fewer agricultural tractors were registered this year. These regions saw some of the biggest declines in registrations last year, so numbers there were still low by historic standards. Northern Ireland also performed relatively well, seeing a below average annual fall, after holding steady in 2024.

"In contrast, the sharpest declines were seen in the Midlands and North of England, where many regions saw falls of 30% or more, compared with the opening six months of last year."

Designed for professional use, STIHL has launched the new BRA 500 and BRA 600 battery-operated backpack blowers, with maximum blowing force for clearing large areas. 

BRA 600

The two new battery-powered machines provide high air speed, with a maximum blowing force of up to 32 (BRA 500) and 35 newtons (BRA 600), available throughout the entire tool’s operating time, making them ideal for removing heavy, wet leaves quickly and efficiently.

Users can also regulate the required blowing force by selecting one of the tool’s three levels using its digital control, with an additional boost mode available to achieve the machine’s maximum power.

Built to reduce strain over prolonged use, both tools have a comfortable carrying system which distributes the weight of the machine across your shoulders and hips, allowing for maximum comfort. 

With STIHL’s Noise Reduction System built in, the machine offers reduced noise as well as a tuned sound to make the tool less intrusive when used in public areas, allowing professional users to work productively at all times of day. 

BRA 500

As STIHL’s first 72 V professional machines, the BRA 500 and BRA 600 draw energy simultaneously from two powerful AP System batteries. For maximum working time, STIHL recommends its AP 500 S battery packs.

Complete with an LED display, which details the mode the device is working in and battery charge levels, the tools can also be incorporated into STIHL’s Connected digital fleet management system.

The Connected system provides a detailed overview of all relevant machine data and provides the option to reduce the tool’s power remotely via the STIHL Connected app.  To facilitate use in the rain, both the BRA 500 and BRA 600 are IPX4-certified.

To find out more about the STIHL BRA 500 and BRA 600, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

The latest independent research showed that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year.  This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.  

This site was purpose-built just for skilled servicing ground care dealers by the team that bring you Service Dealer Magazine. It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year for a full listing.

Since the site launched over 7 years ago, it has raised the profile of listed dealers to well over half a million potential customers and as the site is designed to promote the UK dealer network, all revenues have continued to be reinvested into promoting the site online and so supporting the dealer network.

Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.

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